Improvement in fastening devices for mail-bags



I. METZ & E. HINMAN. FASTENING DEVICE FOR MAIL-BAGS.

No. 192,124, 1 Patented Juneil9, 1877.

WITNESSES 11v wmm y s.

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NJETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGION D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS METZ AND EGBERT HINMAN, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENING DEVICES FOR MAIL-BAGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 192,124, dated June 19, 1877 application filed November 24, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JULIUS METZ and EGBERT HINMAN, both of Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented an Improved Combined Needle and Clasp for Mail-Pouches, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this specification, in

which- Figure 1 is a plan view, the needle being drawn out from the sheath or case. Fig. 2 is a plan view, the needle being inclosed in the sheath or case. Fig. 3 is a 'plan view of the needle detached.

The object of our invention is the construe tion of a needle in such manner as to facilitate the passage of the strap that fastens mailpouches through the staples which are secured to the under side of the same,while at the same time the needle, when the pouch is fastened, is inclosed in the sheath or case, and thus not left in the way.

The nature of our intention consists in securing the needle in a sheath or case, to be easily drawn out when required to be used, and incased when the pouch is locked. The needle is provided with a spring-catch,which enters a hole in the sheath or case and holds it in position when extended, and a stump or pin at its rear section, which prevents it from being entirely drawn out of the case. Both needle and case are formed with slots which register, and through which passes the staple to which is fastened the lock.

The construction and operation of our invention are as follows A is the sheath or case which contains the needle. This case is provided with a slot, A, on both sides of the same, and extending nearly its entire length. At both the front and rear of the case, and in one side of the same, are" holes a a. B is the needle, which is curved at its front end, I), and very slightly dish-shaped. At the rear sec tion of the needle is a slot, B, which, when the needle is inclosed, registers with the slot A of the case. Immediately in the rear of this slot A is secured a stump or pin, a, which, when the needle is drawn out for use, strikes the'front wall of the slot A, and prevents the needle from being drawn entirely out of the case. At the rear of the needle, and on one side of the same, is cut away a portion of the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In this recess b is located the springcatch C, having a round head, 0, at one end, and a pin, cyat the other. This pin a, when the needle is extended, enters the hole a, in the case, and prevents the needle from returning when being used. D is the ordinary strap which is attached to the mail-pouch, and is fastened to the rear end of the case. When it is desired to return the needle to the case so as to lock the pouch, a smart blow with the palm of the hand upon the end b of the needle will cause the pin 0 of the spring-catch C to be disengaged, and the needle to slide back.

What we claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

. In a combined needle and clasp for mailpouches, the sheath or case A provided with a slot, A, and holes a a, and needle B, provided with a slot, B, pin a, and spring-catch C, the Whole constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have'signed our names to this specification in the two subscribing witnesses. r

' JULIUS METZ.

EGBERT HINMAN. Witnesses: v

S. W. FRENCH, SAM. B. MORGAN.

presence of 

